Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, Xu Xin, Lin Gaoyuan and Wang Chuqin for the men; and the women, Ding Ning, Zhu Yuling, Liu Shiwen, Chen Meng and Wang Manyu were named to the 2018 World Championships team last week. Is this the team you would have picked? Let's see what did the Chinese media and netizens think about it.
It happens that we have taken live-streamed Chinese trials for granted since 2006. The Marvellous 12 in 2017 have even pushed Chinese trials to the peak in its history. However, there was no live stream of this year's trials and the introduction of the new selection policy has stirred controversy. Is it covering something too dramatic for us? What are the inside-stories? CCTV 5 produced a talk show which talked about the trials, the squad and the Chinese national team's blueprint. Here is the program subbed with English subtitles. Enjoy!
Information for your reference:
1. New Selection Policy
CTTA announced a new selection policy for international competitions on 5 January 2018 to prepare a strong team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.The announcement stated a list of criteria for qualifying to international competitions such as World Championships, World Cup, World Tour etc. Read the following article for further details about the policy.
In Translation: CTTA Announces New Selection Policy
2. Chinese Trials for 2018 WTTC Final Standings
Women's Final Standings
1. Chen Meng
2. Wang Manyu
3. Chen Xingtong
4. Mu Zi
5. Feng Yalan
6. Sun Yingsha & Gu Yuting
8. Wu Yang
Men's Final Standing after 9 rounds
1. Lin Gaoyuan
2. Wang Chuqin
2. Liang Jingkun
4. Zhou Kai
5. Zhou Qihao
6. Yan An
7. Zhou Yu
8. Fang Bo
9. Xue Fei
10. Liu Dingshuo
For further details, check 2018 Chinese Trials Results Updates
3. 2018 WTTC Draws (Championships Division)
 |
| Photo: ITTF |
 |
| Photo: ITTF |
The 2 journalists mentioned the significance of the change of the playing system. Here is a table comparing the differences of playing system for different tournaments.
I have also written about the new playing system in the Team World Cup recap.
5. Chinese Players Comment on the New System (Excerpted from Table Tennis World)
Zhu Yuling: I have not studied the new system so it might not be a comprehensive analysis. I feel like the third player has become more important on the team. From what I have experienced, the new system requires athletes the ability to switch from doubles mentality to singles mentality quickly. If one has to play in the first match (doubles), she has to prepare for the doubles match first but not leaving out the singles training. This is a change of the mental game.
Liu Shiwen: I had never played in the new system before the 2018 Team World Cup. The new playing system posed a certain degree of pressure on players who were going to play the first match (doubles). On the other hand, it might be an upside for the players who were assigned to play the second match (singles) because players would know their opponents in advance and got prepared. It is quite predictable who will play in the doubles. Therefore, the most important thing in the tournament is to have a great start.
Ding Ning: We do not have much time to prepare for the new system. It happens at such short notice. I felt that the no.3 player has to take up more responsibility because the player must play twice in a team match. It is also the case that results become more unpredictable as the first match is a doubles match which 4 players play their first match and have fewer chances to get used to the atmosphere and environment. While in the old system, one of the doubles players had played in the previous matches. My preparation routine differs in the new system. It was not a common practice to train doubles before the team match. But then, I have to prepare for the doubles first and then prepare for the third match which is a singles match after the doubles match. If my opponent has an unconventional playing style (ie. defence), I have to pay more attention to the details of the preparation, such as time management and strength management. I have learned from the experience and made adjustments according to that. The tactics of a singles match are different from the doubles match. Thus, I have to change my usual practice and thoughts to cope with the change.
Ma Long: This is our first time playing in the new system. We are not familiar so do the other teams. There is a stark difference between the new and the old system. Teams could rearrange the lineup after the third match in the old Olympic system but the lineup is confirmed at the beginning of the team match in the new system. I tend to prepare for the doubles match first in the tournament. It is quite demanding switching from the doubles match to the singles match. When I played in the old Olympic system, I felt it was easier to play the doubles match following a victory in the singles but it could be the other way round. Therefore, there is nothing either good or bad about the new system but thinking makes it so. What I found is that teams tend to assign their no. 2 player to play the third match (singles) in the new system.
Fan Zhendong: I play the no.1 spot for most of the time in this tournament. This is new to me and I encountered many opponents who I have never played against, including Liam Pitchford and Harimoto Tomokazu. I have to admit that it was different from my expectation when it came to opponents who I am unfamiliar with and the pre-match preparation is tough as I do not know them well. However, I gain much confidence after winning them.
Xu Xin: Everyone is at the same starting point. It was more likely that the other teams felt devastated in the third match (doubles) when they lost the first 2 matches (singles) in the old system as one of the players in the doubles had lost a match already. Now, having the doubles match being played first will increase the unpredictability of the match. The doubles match is about collaboration. Making the doubles match the first match to be played will add pressure to the Chinese players because when the opponents play aggressively, they can pose a huge threat to the Chinese pairs. The new playing system requires players to have a higher standard of accuracy and consistency. Despite the changes, Xu Xin believes the Chinese will not be afraid of any adjustments in the playing system. He thinks the new system particularly benefits him because Xu Xin is a strong doubles player. This implies that Xu Xin will take up more responsibility in the team competition.
6. Results of the trials for World Tour Challenge (Czech & Hungarian)
Final Standings (rankings listed in the last column in the picture)
1. Ma Te
2. Zhu Linfeng
3. Zheng Peifeng
4. Zhao Zihao
5. Zhang Yudong
6. Xia Yizheng
7. Lai Jiaxin
8. Xu Chenhao
9. Ren Hao
10. Niu Guankai
 |
| Photo: CCTV5 |
Ma Long and Xu Xin careers technically are coming to an end after the next Olympics. Having the U21 players is good way to prepare the team for the future.
ReplyDeletePreparing the depth of the team and extending the competitive career of veterans are equally important. I do agree putting U21 players to the test and provide more opportunities for them is a great move but we shall never underestimate the potential of top athletes like Ma Long and Xu Xin. Let's put it into other words that the post-Tokyo Olympic would be a turning point to veterans like Ma Long and Xu Xin but I am not sure if they will retired immediately after the Olympics. Perhaps they will stay in the sport for another year or so for the Chinese National Games and CTTSL.
Delete